Fun Things To Do In Hays, KS

Attractions, Sightseeing and Events

Hays is famous for being a frontier town with a colorful history that features the legendary “Wild Bill” Hickok, “Buffalo Bill” Cody and General George Custer. Hays City was founded in the fall of 1867 when the Union Pacific Railroad reached the military post of Fort Hays along the banks of Big Creek. Because many of the first citizens were railroad workers, saloon owners, soldiers and even desperados, the early days of Hays City were wild and dangerous. During several months in 1869, “Wild Bill” Hickok served as the acting sheriff after several incidents prompted the citizens to form a vigilante committee. Many of the outlaws were buried at the original boot hill cemetery, which was located on a hill just north of Hays City. Historic Fort Hays and the Ellis County Historical Museum feature many displays and provide tours for visitors to relive the exciting frontier history.

During the late 1870s, German immigrant arrived from Russia and began to bring their culture, strong religious values and work ethic to this area. In 2003, Ellis County was name the German Capital of Kansas and has a proud reputation of being a friendly place to enjoy a great Oktoberfest, listen to a good polka band and enjoy some tasty beer and brats with the local Volga Germans. The Volga German Haus, annual polka fest, Liquid Bread Brewing Company and a tour of the impressive historic native stone German Churches all provide an enjoyable experience of the German Heritage of Ellis County.

Visitors are truly amazed when they enter the 100,000 square foot dome shaped Sternberg Museum of Natural History and see one of the most impressive displays of Cretaceous Period fossils, rocks and educational material. The centerpiece exhibit features a full-scale recreation of the sea and land environments from 70-80 million years ago. Full scale models of plants and animals, some with realistic motion, allow visitors to encounter the world of the Pteranodons and Tyrannosaurs.

With attractions like the Stone Gallery, Moss-Thorns Gallery of Art, The Hays Arts Center and 711 Studio, Hays is the arts and entertainment mecca of western Kansas. The crown jewel of the Fort Hays State University entertainment scene is the Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center. This historic, yet modern facility has a seating capacity of 1100, and is used for both college and community events.Skip to Best Places to Stay. Best Time to Visit. Visitor Information. View Map.

A variety of permanent exhibits, artifacts, displays, photographs and new exhibits throughout the year tell the story of Hays, Ellis County and the early pioneers. Includes the first stone church in Hays, a harness shop and gift shop. Located at the corner of 7th and Main Streets in downtown Hays, the Ellis County Historical Society Museum exists to preserve and showcase the colorful history of the county. . The museum has over 25,000 artifacts that tell the colorful history of Ellis County.

Herd of buffalo located in Frontier Park - Hays Kansas. Located on US-183 Alternate, four miles south of I-70 and directly across from Historic Fort Hays is a small buffalo herd. The Frontier Park buffalo herd was begun in 1953 with a bull named "Wild Bill" and a cow named Calamity Jane.

Free tour to visit ten historic churches There are more historic German Catholic churches made of native limestone in Ellis County then any other county in Kansas. We invite you visit these impressive churches and enjoy the beautiful altars, stained glass windows, craftsmanship and statues.

Where history walked the streets The famous and infamous walked the streets of Old Hays City during the 1860’s to 1880’s including Wild Bill Hickok, Buffalo Bill Cody and General George Armstrong Custer. Twenty five bronze plaques mark the route and explain the historical significance of each site.

One room house built of native limestone This home is located on the grounds of the Ellis County Historical Society Museum and is a replica of the size and type of home the early Volga German settlers built.

Hays Convention & Visitors Bureau Visitor Bureau in Hays, KS USA User Rating:Visitor informaton and tourism office for Hays, Kansas Welcome to Hays the German Capital of Kansas. Founded in 1867. Population – 20,300
We invite you to experience the many opportunities that our charming community has to offer.

Wi-Fi and a convenient location off the interstate and close to downtown put the Baymont Inn and Suites Hays on our guests' list of favorite area properties. Free Internet, Free Breakfast, Pets Allowed, Non Smoking Rooms.

Interstate access Wi-Fi complimentary breakfast and a pool help land the Days Inn Hays on our guests' list of top area hotels. The 104-room Days Inn offers plenty of amenities for such an easy-on-the-pocketbook property.Outdoor Pool, Free Breakfast, Pets Allowed.

With free Wi-Fi an outdoor pool and a complimentary breakfast the Days Inn Russell makes sure travelers to Russell have somewhere comfy and convenient to call it a night. This two-story hotel offers 48 rooms with cable TVs free Wi-Fi and work desks. Free Internet,Outdoor Pool, Free Breakfast, Pets Allowed.

Escape Room Adventures Escape Hays is an awesome way to get out and do something extraordinary. Be a spy, stop a bomb, escape the killers, steal the diamond. Forget video games and movies, this time YOU are the hero.

Wi-Fi complimentary breakfast and a pool help make the non-smoking Fairfield Inn by Marriott Hays a popular area property among our guests. The 62-room Fairfield Inn has amenities aplenty for business and leisure travelers. Free Internet, Swimming Pool, Indoor Pool, Free Breakfast, Non Smoking Rooms.

Downtown proximity and a pool are amenities that guests appreciate at the Americas Best Value Inn in Hays. All 92 rooms provide microwaves mini-fridges coffeemakers and cable TVs with HBO. Road warriors like the free local calls and access to copy and fax services. Free Internet,Outdoor Pool, Pets Allowed, Non Smoking Rooms.

Best Time to Visit Hays

The best time to visit Hays is in the summer and fall. Summer temperatures are mild with averages in the mid 70's and highs in the upper 90's. Nights are cool with lows in the 60's to 70’s. Fall temperatures are pleasant with averages in the upper 50’s and 60’s with highs in the low 70's. Fall nights are cool with lows in the mid 40's.